Combustion car ban: California's power grid overloaded

Following the example of others, such as the European Union or the United Kingdom, the US state of California has also decided to take action against internal combustion engines. Here, too, the sale of diesel and petrol cars will be banned from 2035. Not all at once, but gradually, newly registered vehicles will become emission-free. According to the so-called "Golden State", a quota of one third of CO2-neutral cars is to be achieved first by 2026, which is then to increase to two thirds by 2030.  

This is an important decision not only for California, but also for the entire American car industry - which is strongly influenced by the market targets of the most populous state. Nationwide, the impact will extend, as will concerns about the enforceability of such a measure. Already, there are doubts about the ability of the current power grid to meet rising demand. This is because an internal combustion phase-out would ultimately mean an increase in the stock of electric vehicles and, consequently, the number of e-cars that need to be charged.  

In particular, a series of power outages that recently plagued California during the "Labor Day weekend" just add to the already existing uncertainties about the consequences of an internal combustion vehicle ban. Indeed, the current power grid may not be able to meet the increasing demand that would result from a further increase in electric cars.  

It is true that the Californian authorities have taken measures to try to regulate the situation and avoid prolonged power interruptions. However, these are not a permanent solution, nor a real step in preparation for the increase in electric cars expected in California. Among other things, residents were asked not to charge their electric cars.  

Of course, it is not expected that citizens will generally stop charging vehicles. Only temporarily should e-car owners refrain from doing so because of the danger of power outages. But the fact that all this happened only a few days after the state's decision to turn away from fossil fuels worries many.  

A switch to electric or other alternative forms of propulsion is currently to be expected and definitely a right step towards more sustainable mobility. However, it is crucial that the necessary conditions for decarbonising transport are created - and not as an afterthought, but as one of the key components of the combustion engine phase-out.  

Sufficient electricity availability and adequate infrastructure should be ensured on an ongoing basis if California really wants to achieve the goal of zero-emission transport by 2035. A problem that the state shares with many other countries and which remains difficult to solve. Is it time to invest more in greener and more efficient energy mixes? Because that would be the best chance for a real departure from polluting combustion engines - and at the same time for a more responsible use of energy resources.